Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL)

A Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) is a calculated value that represents the amount of a particular pollutant that a stream, lake, estuary or other water body can "handle" without exceeding state water quality standards. A TMDL is the pollution reduction goal set by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) for water bodies found to be polluted because they exceed the state water quality standards.

The Federal Clean Water Act (CWA) requires the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) and FDEP to evaluate water quality in Waters of the U.S. and Florida, assign TMDLs to those water bodies that exceed water quality standards, and require local governments, agriculture and others to clean up water quality in water bodies with TMDLs. FDEP has determined that nearly all of the water bodies in Lee County exceed state water quality standards and will eventually have a TMDL that requires restoration.
 

Basin Management Action Plan (BMAP)

A Basin Management Action Plan (BMAP) contains a comprehensive set of solutions to achieve the pollutant reduction goals established by a TMDL. The FDEP works with local stakeholders to develop a BMAP, which is then adopted by Secretarial Order. Commitment by stakeholders is essential for the successful implementation of the projects and programs designed to reduce pollution outputs. 

There are two BMAPs in Lee County: the Caloosahatchee River and Estuary BMAP, and the Everglades West Coast Basin BMAP which encompasses the Hendry Creek and Imperial River basins.  The County is an engaged and committed BMAP stakeholder and is working to achieve needed pollutant reductions to improve our waterways by completing projects, implementing programs, enforcing stormwater violations, and providing education. More information about Lee County’s efforts to improve water quality in our waterways are described in Lee County’s Water Initiative. 

Alternative Restoration Plans (ARP)

These plans are implemented at the earliest practical time to restore waters not meeting state water quality standards. Early implementation of restoration activities is more cost effective and may forgo certain regulatory steps (most notably, the development of Total Maximum Daily Loads and Basin Management Action Plans), thereby focusing limited local and state resources directly on measures that will improve water quality.

These restoration plans are prepared by local governments and approved by FDEP and EPA. Lee County has initiated three ARPs: The North Fort Myers Caloosahatchee Segment 2, Whiskey Creek and Deep Lagoon, and Yellow Fever Creek and Hancock Creek. 

For More Information

View Water Quality for more information about Lee County's TMDLs and BMAPs; or contact Natural Resources at mromero@leegov.com or call 239-565-0209 with questions.